Access system for selectively accessing the contents of a container

ABSTRACT

An access system for selectively accessing the contents of a container is provided. The access system embodies an access hole communicating through a lid of a container into the containing cavity. The access system may also embody an access tab with an adhesive layer that fastens to the lid so as to seal the access hole, whereby an operative end of the access tab not providing the adhesive layer is disposed near the periphery of the container, and wherein there is a gap between the operative end and the lid so that the access tab is peelable between a closed condition sealing the access hole and an open condition providing selective access to the contents of the cavity only through the access hole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to food containers and, more particularly, to an access system for selectively accessing the contents of a container.

Plastic fruit cups are common lunch items for children, however, the tabs currently on the cups make opening them without spilling some of the contents very difficult. Because of the current fruit-cup lids, children, parents and teachers are constantly dealing with juice spills after trying to open them up since all such fluid-containing containers only provide the main lid, which do not come off easily. Furthermore, because such containers are also filled to the top with fluid (here, fruit juice) and foodstuff, whenever someone tries to open one of these one-lid containers, users lose some of the foodstuff in addition to the juice.

As can be seen, there is a need for an access system for selectively accessing the contents of a container in a controlled manner. The access system embodies an access tab and an access hole added to the main lid, wherein the access hole is formed in the lid and the access tab is operatively associated with the access hole to be moveable between a closed condition sealing the access hole, and an open condition communicating with the access hole.

By adding the access hole and the access tab, also known as the “Drain-Easy Tab”, to the tops of the container, contents thereof can be controllably accessed—e.g., drained or otherwise urged therethrough out of the container. Thus, the “Drain-Easy Tab” makes it possible for whomever is opening the container to either easily drained the contents into a sink or urge the contents through a straw, for example, via the access opening, prior to opening the main lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an access system for selectively controlling access to a container having a cover sealing contents of the container, including an access hole punctured through the cover; an access tab extending from a first end to an operative end; and an adhesive layer provided on a downward-facing surface of the first end, wherein the adhesive layer seals the access hole.

In another aspect of the present invention, the access system for selectively controlling access to a container having a cover sealing contents of the container, includes an access hole punctured through the cover, wherein the access hole is located between a center of the cover and a peripheral edge thereof; an access tab extending from a first end to an operative end; an adhesive layer provided on a downward-facing surface of the first end, wherein the adhesive layer seals the access hole; a gap between the operative end and the cover, wherein the operative end is disposed adjacent a peripheral edge of the cover; and a straw dimensioned to snugly slide through the access hole.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for selectively controlling access to a container having a peel away cover sealing contents of the container, including the steps of puncturing an access hole through the peel away cover; providing an access tab having a downward-facing surface extending from a first end to an operative end, wherein an adhesive layer is provided along the first end; and adhering the first end to the peel away cover so the first end seals the access hole, and wherein the operative end is disposed adjacent to a periphery of the peel away cover

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, demonstrating a closed condition;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, like FIG. 2, but demonstrating an open condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, like FIG. 3, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an access system for selectively accessing the contents of a container. The access system embodies an access hole communicating through a lid of a container into the containing cavity. The access system may also embody an access tab with an adhesive layer that fastens to the lid so as to seal the access hole, whereby an operative end of the access tab not providing the adhesive layer is disposed near the periphery of the container, and wherein there is a gap between the operative end and the lid so that the access tab is peelable between a closed condition sealing the access hole and an open condition providing selective access to the contents of the cavity only through the access hole.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may include an access system 10 for selectively accessing the contents 22 of a container 12. The container 12 provides a cavity and an opening communicating to said cavity. The opening may be defined by peripheral edges 28 of the container 12. A lid 14 may be at least coextensive with the peripheral edges 28 so as to seal off the cavity along the peripheral edges 28. The lid 14 may be peelable from the peripheral edges 28 so as to access a substantial portion or the entirety of the opening.

An access hole 18 may be provided or formed in the lid 14 in accordance with the access system 10. The access hole 18 may be dimensioned and adapted to snugly slide a conventional straw 26 therethrough. In certain embodiments, the access hole 18 may be formed by the straw 26 puncturing the lid 14. In certain embodiments, the access hole 18 may be approximately a quarter to a half inch in diameter. The access hole 18 may be dispose off center of the opening, for example between the center of the opening and the peripheral edges 28.

An access tab 16 may be dimensioned and adapted to cover the access hole 18 yet still extend between the center of the opening and a periphery of the lid 14. In certain embodiments, the access tab 16 may be elongated and end in an operative end 30. The access tab 16 may have an upward-facing surface and an opposing downward-facing surface. Along the downward-facing surface an adhesive layer 24 may be disposed. The adhesive layer 24 may be generally coextensive with the downward-facing surface but not the operative end 30. In certain embodiments, the adhesive layer ends where the operative end 30 begins—for example, if the operative end 20 were a curved end, the adhesive layer 30 would end prior to where the curvature of the curved end starts. In any event, there may be essentially a gap 40 between the operative end 30 and the lid 14, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The adhesive layer 20 may enable the access tab 16 to be peelable from the lid 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3, between a closed and an open condition. In the open condition, the access hole 18 may be accessible. In the closed condition the access hole 18 is effectively sealed so as to prevent leakage therethrough. The operative end 30 may be a lip which can be manipulated to move or peel away the access tab 16 to the open condition. The operative end 30 may be curved or any shape as long as the access tab 16 functions in accordance with the disclosure herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a straw 26. The straw 26 may be encased in a wrapper 24 that may or may not be removably secured to the lid 14 or another portion of the container 12. The straw 26 may be dimensioned and adapted to be snugly slid into the access hole 18 for urging the contents 22 from the container 12.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The access system 10 disclosed above may be provided so that a user may convert a standard juice container to the access system 10. The user may first form a small straw-sized hole toward the edge of the main lid 14 of the container 14, say a fruit cup. Then the user may apply the access tab 16 (“Drain-Easy Tab”) so that the downward-facing surface and adhesive layer 20 are fastened to the lid 14 so that the access hole 18 is sealed and the operative end 30 is adjacent to peripheral edge 28 of the container 12 so that it can be easily peeled away. In certain embodiments, the color of the “Drain-Easy Tab” may be a different color from the main lid 14 (the color will likely depend upon the brand of fruit cup) and could contain the words “peel here”.

To access the contents 22, the user may easily peel away the access tab 16 to reveal the access hole 18 so that the contents 22 (e.g., juice) can either be drained out prior to opening the lid 14 or the straw 26 could be used to urge the contents 22 through the straw 26. After juice has been emptied, the main lid can then be opened without worrying about any spills or messes.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An access system for selectively controlling access to a container having a cover sealing contents of the container, comprising: an access hole punctured through the cover; an access tab extending from a first end to an operative end; and an adhesive layer provided on a downward-facing surface of the first end, wherein the adhesive layer seals the access hole.
 2. The access system of claim 1, wherein the operative end is disposed adjacent a peripheral edge of the cover.
 3. The access system of claim 1, further comprising a gap between the operative end and the cover.
 4. The access system of claim 1, wherein the access hole is located between a center of the cover and a peripheral edge thereof.
 5. The access system of claim 1, further comprising a straw dimensioned to snugly slide through the access hole.
 6. An access system for selectively controlling access to a container having a cover sealing contents of the container, comprising: an access hole punctured through the cover, wherein the access hole is located between a center of the cover and a peripheral edge thereof; an access tab extending from a first end to an operative end; an adhesive layer provided on a downward-facing surface of the first end, wherein the adhesive layer seals the access hole; a gap between the operative end and the cover, wherein the operative end is disposed adjacent a peripheral edge of the cover; and a straw dimensioned to snugly slide through the access hole.
 7. A method for selectively controlling access to a container having a peel away cover sealing contents of the container, comprising the steps of: puncturing an access hole through the peel away cover; providing an access tab having a downward-facing surface extending from a first end to an operative end, wherein an adhesive layer is provided along the first end; and adhering the first end to the peel away cover so the first end seals the access hole, and wherein the operative end is disposed adjacent to a periphery of the peel away cover.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of providing a straw; and puncturing the access hole with said straw. 